Randy Chandler
Feta cheese is a handy staple to have in your fridge, adding a unique flavour to many dishes. However, its high price and short shelf life mean that it's important to store it correctly. Feta is typically sold in brine, which helps to preserve its moisture and contributes to its flavour. But does feta cheese have a smell, and how can you tell if it's gone bad?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smell | Feta cheese has a mild, tangy smell. However, if it smells acrid, sour, or like spoiled milk, yeast, or vomit, it has likely gone bad. |
| Taste | Feta cheese should taste like fresh, mildly tangy dairy. If it tastes bitter, overly piquant, rancid, or otherwise unbalanced, it has likely gone bad. |
| Texture | Feta cheese is typically soft and crumbly. Freezing feta can change its texture, making it overly crumbly. |
| Packaging | Feta cheese is often packaged in a vacuum-sealed container with brine, which helps preserve moisture and stave off harmful bacteria. |
| Storage | Feta cheese should be stored in the refrigerator, completely submerged in brine, to stay fresh for up to six months. |
| Shelf Life | Feta cheese packaged in brine can last for up to six months if stored correctly. Dry feta will go bad after about one week. |
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What You'll Learn
Feta cheese should be stored in brine to stay fresh for longer
Feta cheese is a handy staple to have in your fridge, but it can quickly dry out and spoil once opened. The best way to keep it fresh for longer is to store it in brine—a combination of water and salt.
Feta is a white, crumbly cheese, traditionally made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep and goat's milk. It is cured and stored in brine, which preserves it and keeps it moist. The brine also contributes to the flavour of the cheese, giving it a salty punch.
If your feta comes vacuum-sealed with a small amount of brine, it will only last a week once opened. However, if you return the cheese to a brine solution, it will stay fresh for up to a month. To make your own brine, dissolve one or two teaspoons of kosher salt in one cup of water. The water should be at room temperature. You can also heat half of the water to help the salt dissolve, then add cold water. Make sure you have enough brine to completely cover the cheese.
You can store whole or half blocks of feta in brine, or cut it into cubes first. Seal the container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to three to four weeks. If you're storing feta crumbles, you can also freeze them to optimise freshness.
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Feta cheese that smells yeasty has gone bad
Feta cheese is typically made from goat and/or sheep's milk and has a unique flavour due to its preservation in brine. This brine not only helps to preserve moisture and keep harmful bacteria at bay, but it also contributes to the flavour. Feta cheese is known to have a strong smell, which is a result of the type of milk used, the aging process, and the curing method.
While feta cheese is known to have a strong odour, a yeasty smell is indicative of spoilage. This is one of the tell-tale signs that your feta cheese has gone bad and needs to be discarded. The smell of spoiled feta cheese can be likened to spoiled milk or sour baby vomit. In addition to the unpleasant yeasty odour, there are other indicators that your feta cheese has turned rancid.
Discolouration or mould growth on the cheese surface is a clear sign that it has gone bad. Feta cheese should be white or cream-coloured, so any discolouration could indicate the presence of harmful bacteria. If you spot any hairy or discoloured patches on your feta cheese, it is best to discard it immediately.
Another sign of spoilage is a change in texture. Feta cheese is known for its soft, crumbly texture. If it becomes dry, stiff, or gritty, it is no longer safe to consume. You may also notice sliminess on the surface of the cheese, which is another indication that it has spoiled.
To prolong the freshness of feta cheese, it is important to store it properly. Feta cheese should be stored in brine, which helps maintain its moisture and flavour. If your feta cheese did not come packaged in brine, you can create your own by dissolving one teaspoon of salt into a cup of water. Place the feta cheese in an airtight container and ensure it is completely submerged in the brine before storing it in the refrigerator.
By being mindful of the smell, appearance, and texture of your feta cheese, you can ensure that you are consuming it safely and avoiding any potential health risks associated with spoiled food.
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Feta cheese that has a bitter taste has gone bad
Feta cheese is a handy staple to have in your fridge. It is typically made from goat and/or sheep's milk and has a unique flavour due to its brine curing process.
Feta should be mild-tasting when fresh. If your feta has developed a bitter taste, it has likely gone bad. Other signs of spoilage include mould, an acrid or sour smell, and sliminess. If you notice any of these signs, it's best to discard the cheese.
To extend the shelf life of feta, it's important to store it properly. Feta is usually packaged in brine, which helps preserve moisture and keep harmful bacteria at bay. When purchasing feta, it's best to choose blocks over crumbles, as they are easier to keep fresh.
If you find yourself with bitter-tasting feta, you can try soaking it in water or milk to reduce the bitterness. Alternatively, you can wrap the cheese in cheesecloth and use a cheese press to apply pressure, which may help alleviate the bitterness. However, if the feta shows other signs of spoilage, it's best to dispose of it.
To prevent your feta from spoiling, ensure it is fully submerged in brine and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will keep it fresh for up to a month. If you're storing crumbled feta, consider freezing it to optimise freshness.
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Feta cheese should be stored in an airtight container
Feta cheese is typically made from goat and/or sheep's milk and is known for its strong, unique flavour. It is often sold in blocks submerged in brine—a combination of water and salt—which helps to preserve the cheese and keep it moist, as well as contributing to its flavour.
However, feta cheese can develop a particularly strong smell over time, which may be considered unpleasant by some. To extend the shelf life of feta cheese and maintain its quality, it is recommended to store it in an airtight container. This prevents the cheese from drying out and developing an overly sour taste.
When exposed to air, feta cheese can quickly lose moisture and become dry, crumbly, and sour. By sealing the cheese in an airtight container, its texture and flavour can be preserved for a longer period. The airtight container helps to restrict oxygen flow and slows down the growth of bacteria, thus delaying the spoilage process.
To store feta cheese in an airtight container, it is recommended to first prepare a brine solution. This involves dissolving one teaspoon of salt into one cup of water. The feta cheese should then be completely submerged in this brine solution within the airtight container. It is important to ensure that the container is adequately sized so that the cheese can be fully immersed in the brine.
Storing feta cheese in an airtight container with brine can significantly extend its freshness, with some sources suggesting it can remain edible for up to three months when refrigerated. This storage method helps to maintain the cheese's characteristic salty taste and moist texture, making it a convenient option for those who wish to enjoy feta cheese over an extended period.
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Feta cheese that has mould on it has gone bad
Feta cheese is a handy staple to have in the fridge. It's a tangy, salty, and slightly sour cheese with a unique flavour, largely due to the fact that it sits in salt water for its entire life. This brine not only preserves the cheese's moisture but also keeps harmful bacteria at bay and contributes to its flavour.
However, feta cheese doesn't last forever, and it can go bad. One of the tell-tale signs of spoilage is mould. If you see any discolouration or hairy bits on the cheese, it's time to throw it out. Mould spores can easily permeate feta cheese, so even scraping off the mould won't solve the problem.
Other signs that your feta has gone bad include an acrid or extra sour smell, a rubbery or slimy texture, and a bitter taste. If you notice any of these signs, it's best to discard the cheese.
To prolong the life of your feta cheese, proper storage is essential. Feta in brine should be treated like fresh mozzarella. If the liquid level gets low, you can top it off with filtered water and salt. Dissolve about two teaspoons of kosher salt in one to two cups of water, then completely submerge the feta in the brine. Seal it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. With proper storage, unopened feta in brine can last up to a month, while opened feta should be consumed within a week or two to enjoy its optimal freshness and flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, feta cheese has a smell. Feta is typically a goat and/or sheep's milk cheese that sits in brine for its natural life. This brine contributes to its flavour.
Feta cheese should have a fresh, milky, and mildly tangy smell.
If your feta cheese smells yeasty, like proofed bread dough, it has gone bad.
Other signs of spoilage include mould, discoloration, sliminess, and an acrid or extra sour smell.
To prevent feta cheese from going bad, keep it submerged in brine. This will help preserve its moisture and stave off harmful bacteria.
